How to Write a Craft Show Vendor Application

What You'll Need

• Your product photos (3–5 product shots + 1 booth photo)
• Your standard product description (you'll adapt it per application)
• Business contact information and social/website links
• Insurance certificate (if required by the show)
• Credit card or PayPal for application fee payment
• 30–60 minutes of focused time

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Step 1: Read the Full Application Before Filling Anything In

This sounds obvious, but skipping this step causes most application mistakes. Read every field and note:

• The product category they're accepting (some shows are strictly handmade; others allow resale)
• Whether they have a category limit (if they already have 10 jewelry vendors, applying as jewelry vendor 11 may be futile)
• Photo specifications (resolution, file size, number of images)
• Deadline and booth fee payment timeline

Knowing all the requirements before you start ensures you don't waste time on applications that aren't a fit.

Step 2: Write Your Product Description

This is the most important text field on the application. Jurors read hundreds of these—yours needs to be clear and specific.

Structure to follow:

1. What you make (1 sentence)
2. How you make it / materials used (1–2 sentences)
3. What makes your work distinct (1 sentence)

Weak example: "I make candles, jewelry, and other handmade items."

Strong example: "I hand-pour soy wax candles using cotton wicks and fragrance oils blended in small batches. Each candle is made in my home studio in ceramic vessels I source from local potters. My scent palette focuses on botanical and woodsy profiles rather than the floral-heavy options common in the market."

Word count target: 75–150 words. Longer is not better—jurors need to read quickly.

Step 3: Select Your Product Category

Most shows have a dropdown or list of categories. Choose the single most accurate one, even if you make items across multiple categories. If you make both jewelry and ceramics, choose whichever is your primary focus and mention the other in your product description.

Applying to the wrong category (or to a filled category) significantly lowers your acceptance odds.

Step 4: Prepare and Upload Your Photos

Product photos (3–5 images):

• Clean, neutral background (white, off-white, or natural wood)
• Natural light or studio lighting with no harsh shadows
• The product fills 70–80% of the frame
• In-focus, no motion blur
• Shoot at the highest resolution your phone or camera allows; resize if the form requires it

Booth photo (1 image):

• A clear shot of your full booth display, either from inside the booth looking out, or from the customer's perspective looking in
• Your booth does not need to be at a show—a practice setup in your garage or backyard is fine
• It should look intentional and organized, with products displayed as they would be at a show

If your booth photo shows a folding table with a wrinkled cloth and products thrown on it, your application is at a disadvantage regardless of product quality.

Step 5: Fill In Contact and Business Information

Use:

• The business name you use on all signage and social media
• A professional email (not a personal Gmail like "horsegirl1987@gmail.com")
• Your correct website or Etsy shop URL
• Instagram or primary social handle if asked—jurors sometimes look these up

Step 6: Indicate Booth Size and Any Special Requirements

Select the booth size that matches your current setup. If you're new, 10×10 is appropriate. Indicate if you need:

• Electricity access (usually an extra fee; required if you use lighting or demonstration equipment)
• Corner placement
• Accessible location

Don't request special placement on your first application to a show—it can read as presumptuous and doesn't improve your acceptance odds.

Step 7: Complete and Submit the Application Fee

Double-check everything before submitting. Once submitted, most application forms are difficult to edit. Verify:

• Product description is accurate and free of typos
• Photos are uploaded in the correct fields
• Your email address is correct (you'll receive acceptance/rejection by email)
• You've read the show's policies on cancellation and booth fee refunds

Pay the application fee and screenshot or save the confirmation.

Step 8: Log the Application and Set a Reminder

Create a simple tracking spreadsheet (or a note in your phone) with:

• Show name
• Application date
• Response deadline (if listed)
• Booth fee amount (so you know what to budget if accepted)

Follow up if you haven't heard back within 2 weeks of the listed response date. A brief, polite email ("I submitted an application on [date] and wanted to confirm it was received") is appropriate and shows professionalism.